La Quinta becomes first Coachella Valley city to pass regulations on ‘Kratom’ products
Athena Jreij
LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Kratom, an herbal drug often found in energy drinks and pills at gas stations, will now face new regulations in La Quinta.
La Quinta City Council passed ordinance chapter 5.94, passing new limits on Kratom and the synthetic concentrate derived from the drug, known as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).
Narcotics experts say the high concentrate 7-OH can have similar effects as opioids, creating withdrawals, dependency and in some cases, overdoses.
According to the California Narcotics Officers Association, “7-OH, the psychoactive component of kratom leaves, is being synthetically concentrated into various products that are sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and other retail and online venues in the county.”
The ordinance will set a minimum age limit of 21 to purchase the drug, a maximum potency limit of 2% on 7-OH products, prohibit concentrated 7-OH products and advertising that appeals to minors.
Ryan Sherman with the California Narcotics Officers Association was behind the push in La Quinta, and says there needs to be more awareness around the drug’s deadly impacts. He alleges product manufacturers use trendy marketing that appeals to children, and distracts from the real harm of Kratom.
“People have a really hard time getting off it, and even when they do, they go through the same withdrawal symptoms as, you know, trying to get off heroin or, morphine,” Sherman says.
Jessica Gorton with Discovery Behavioral Health also says using Kratom can trigger relapses in other addicts.
“If someone has a surgery and they get hooked on painkillers and then all of a sudden the doctor says, okay, well, you can’t take those anymore … A lot of times that type of person might go and try to find something like Kratom,” Gorton said.
La Quinta is one of many local agencies taking the extra step Herman says is needed, as the federal government works on increased regulations.
The law is set to go into effect in 30 days. Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this story.